Ridgewood Lake Dam

YELLOW CREEK· Medina, Ohio· Built 1965· Earth· 12 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Ridgewood Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in Ohio. It was completed in 1965 and is 61 years old. Its primary use is recreation. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 12 ft (taller than 4.8% in OH)
Dam Length890 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage50 acre-ft
Normal Storage22 acre-ft
Surface Area8 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge898 cfs
Year Completed1965 (61 years old)
NID IDOH02713

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: November 4, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: Department of Natural Resources

Ownership

David L. Poling

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Ridgewood Lake Dam?

Ridgewood Lake Dam is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Ridgewood Lake Dam?

Ridgewood Lake Dam is owned by David L. Poling (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Ridgewood Lake Dam built?

Ridgewood Lake Dam was completed in 1965, making it 61 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Ridgewood Lake Dam?

Ridgewood Lake Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Ridgewood Lake Dam?

Ridgewood Lake Dam has a dam height of 12 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was Ridgewood Lake Dam last inspected?

Ridgewood Lake Dam was last inspected on November 4, 2021. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.